Releasible binder

ABSTRACT

A device for releasibly binding a boot and a ski, comprising engagement means and locking means for engaging the engagement means, the locking means being adapted to releasibly engage the engagement means in at least two successive positions and releasible from each of said positions in response to a predetermined applied energy. The device provides for stepped release of the binder in response to different levels of shock experienced by the skier. Lower levels of potentially traumatic shock are absorbed by release of the locking means from its first position without physical release of the boot from the ski because of the continuing engagement of the locking means in its successive engagement position. Higher shock levels activate release of the locking means from its second or ultimate engagement position resulting in complete release of the binder. The device minimizes injury to the skier by absorbing intermediate levels of shock without loss of the ski and by providing for a high degree of shock absorption by the locking means which ultimately fully releases the binder.

United States Patent [191 Cutter [4 1 July 29, 1975 [54] RELEASABLE BINDER [76] Inventor: Robert C. Cutter, Box 1074,

Glenwood Springs, Colo. 81601 [22] Filed: Nov. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No; 304,483

Primary ExaminerRobert R. Song Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam D. Stokes ABSTRACT A device for releasably binding a boot and a ski. comprising engagement means and locking means for engaging the engagement means, the locking means being adapted to releasably engage the engagement means in at least two successive positions and releas able from each of said positions in response to a predetermined applied energy. The device provides for stepped release of the binder in response to different levels of shock experienced by the skier. Lower levels of potentially traumatic shock are absorbed by release of the locking means from its first position without physical release of the boot from the ski because of the continuing engagement of the locking means in its successive engagement position. Higher shock levels activate release of the locking means from its second or ultimate engagement position resulting in complete release of the binder. The device minimizes injury to the skier by absorbing intermediate levels ofshock without loss of the ski and by providing for a high degree of shock absorption by the locking means which ultimately fully releases the binder.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULZQIBTS 3,897, 075

SHEET 1 PATENTED JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET FIG.3

PATENTEDJULZSIHYS 3,897, 075

SHEET 3 RELEASIBLE BINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that skiers are often subjected to excessive pressures or shock which can cause injury such as pulled tendons, sprains, broken bones, and the like. It is, therefore, desirable to minimize the applied energies transmitted from the ski to the boot and, thereby, the wearer. In the case of stresses so high that they are likely to cause serious injury, provision must be made for complete separation of the ski from the boot. Unfortunately, in the course of the fall accompanying the disengagement of the ski, the boot may become lodged in the snow and create a situation wherein a rotating fall results in a spiral bone fracture.

Many releasible ski and boot binders have been developed, which provide a positive separation of the boot from the ski when the binders are subjected to a predetermined level of applied energy. This predetermined level is adjustable and is preset by the skier. Although such prior art binders are effective for their de signed function, they suffer from a serious disadvantage. The skier is faced with the dilemma of presetting the separation force at a relatively low level, thereby increasing his exposure to the types of injury attendant upon disengagement of the ski, or to a very high level, thereby exposing his body to the direct transmission of traumatic shock of a somewhat lesser magnitude.

The device of this invention substantially eliminates or reduces this problem by providing a binder device with successive locking means, each responsive to a predetermined level of applied energy, so that lesser shocks can be absorbed by the mechanism without separation of the ski or loss of control by the skier.

DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially in section showing a ski boot secured to a ski by an embodiment of the binder of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the release of the locking mechanism set at the lower predetermined shock level.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partially in section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan, fragmentary view partly in section showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing complete release of the locking means of FIG. 4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, the invention provides a device for releasibly binding a ski to a boot by locking means adapted for binding engagement in at least two successive positions, each releasible at a predetermined level of applied energy which can be adjustably preset by the wearer. Thus, when the ski is subjected to a shock sufficient to release the locking means from its first position but insufficient to release it from its second position, the unreleased locking means prevents separation of the ski from the boot and a large portion of the applied stress is absorbed by release of the locking meansfrom its first position, thereby reducing or eliminating any potentially traumatic shock transmitted to the body of the wearer without loss of the ski. In the event that the applied force exceeds the predetermined level of the releasible locking means in all of its positions, the ski is positively separated from the boot. In such case, the device has the advantage of absorbing a larger proportion of the applied energy because of its multiple releasible locking means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises a plurality of separately activated locking means, each releasible at a predetermined level of applied energy.

In another embodiment the locking means comprises a releasible member, which. under a predetermined level of applied stress, is movable into successive locking positions or into complete disengagment.

It will be understood that the term ski as used herein broadly includes other devices secured to a boot or shoe which may require separation under applied stress, such as snowshoes.

The releasible locking means employed in the invention can be of a variety of designs, including conventional designs, so long as they are responsive to release at a predetermined level of applied energy and the predetermined levels can be adjustably preset for the locking means in each of its multiplicity of positions.

The locking means can, for example, comprise a plurality of individual locking elements, each comprising a spring-loaded, eccentric cam provided with a stud element which mates in locking engagement with a grooved or slotted engagement means. The eccentric cam can be maintained in the desired locking position through the action ofa ball which is urged into a socket on the cam by the action of a spring, the tension of which is preset by an adjustment screw.

Alternatively, the locking means can be a pivotable member movable into successive locking positions in response to a predetermined level of stress.

The multi-step release binder device can be emi ployed to bind either the toe or the heel of the boot to the ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION and 13 respectively. Lower wall 13 extends for a short distance forwardly of the side walls as shown.

Two separate locking means 14 and 15, vertically spaced from each other are seated inhousing 16 attached to ski 2 in ski recess 17 by attachment screws 18 inserted through openings in side flanges 18a.

Locking means 14 comprises cam 19 pivotally mounted on pin 20 and provided on the side facing slot 9 with stud 21 and on the opposite side with recess 22. Stud 21 extends into the upper part of slot 9 and is maintained in locking engagement therewith by ball 23 seated in mating cam recess 22, spring 25, which is in pressing engagement with the ball member, and adjustable threaded screw 26, which compresses the spring to the desired degree of tension. Communicating bores 27 and 28, the latter threaded, are provided in the housing for the spring and adjustment screw respectively.

Locking means comprises cam 29 pivotally mounted on pin 30 and provided on the side facing slot 9 with stud 31 and on the opposite side with recess 32. Stud 31 extends into the lower part of slot 9 and is maintained in locking engagement therewith by ball 33 seated in mating cam recess 32, spring 34 which is in pressing engagement with the ball member, and adjustable threaded screw 35 which compresses the spring to the desired degree of tension. Communicating bores 36 and 37, the latter threaded, are provided in the housing for the spring and adjustment screw respectively. Cam 29 is additionally provided with a second stud 38 positioned below stud 31 and defining therewith a groove 39 adapted to receive extended wall 13 when cam 29 is in locking engagement with slot 9. Stud 38 is shorter than stud 31 and its side wall 40 defining groove 39 is inclined as shown.

In operation, locking means 14 and 15 are positioned in locking engagement with engagement means 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Adjustment screws 26 and 35 are set to place springs 25 and 34 at desired predetermined degrees of tension, with that of spring 25 being preferably greater through it may be the same or less if desired. When the ski is subjected to pressure sufficient to cause release of locking means 15 but insufficient to release locking means 14, cam 29 rotates to release stud 31 from locking engagement with engagement means 4 as shown in FIG. 2. Ball member 33 is disengaged from cam recess 32 and, as the cam rotates, comes into engagement position with cam recess 41, which is provided as a convenient means for limiting the movement of the cam member after disengagement of stud 31. A large proportion or all of the thrust to which the ski has been subjected is absorbed by release of locking means 15 and is, therefore, not transmitted via the boot to the wearer.

Locking means 14 remains in locking engagement with engagement means 4 but moves into the lower end of slot 9 because of the upward movement of the heel and attached engagement means when locking means 15 is released. Thus, the ski continues in rigid attachment to the boot and the wearer remains in control. Stud 38 is provided as a convenient means for pushing cam 29 and attached locking stud 31 into locking position. Angled side 40 of stud 38 prevents binding of extended wall 13 in groove 39. The wearer can relock locking means 15 simply by pushing the heel of the boot downwardly to engage stud 31 in slot 9.

When the thrust applied to the ski is of such large magnitude that it can also cause release of locking means 14, its effect is to cause release of locking means 15 as aforedescribed with concomitant absorption of some of the applied energy and additionally to cause disengagement of locking means 14. Ball 23 is forced out of cam recess 22; cam 21 rotates and stud 21 moves out of engagement with slot 5 in engagement means 4. This provides complete positive separation of the ski from the boot.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the toe of the ski boot is secured to the ski by the binder device generally indicated by numeral 51. The engagement means 52 comprises plate 53 attached to the toe by screws 54. The plate is provided with centrally positioned slot 55 with tapered side walls. The locking means comprises plate 56 fixedly attached to the ski by screws 57. Plate 56 is provided with central detent 58 and lateral detents 59 and 59a. Pivotable member 60 is pivotally maintained in sliding engagement with plate 56 by means of screw 61 and is provided with stud 62 having tapered tongue 68 designed to releasibly engage slot 55 in the engagement means. Stud 62 is maintained in locking engagement with slot 55 by ball element 63 seated in mating detent 58, spring 64 which is in pressing engagement with the ball member, and adjustable threaded screw 65 which compresses the spring to the desired degree of tension. Communicating bores 66 and 67, the latter threaded, are provided in the pivotable member for the spring and adjustment screw respectively.

In operation, the locking means is positioned in locking engagement with the engagement means as shown in FIG. 4. Adjustment screw 65 is set to place spring 64 under a predetermined degree of tension. When the ski is subjected to a horizontal stress sufficient to release the ball element 63 from its mating position in detent 58, rotatable member 60 pivots and the ball member enters into mating engagement with detent 59 as shown in FIG. 6. Stud 62 continues in engagement with slot 55 of engagement means 52 with the toe of the boot moving sidewise. Such continued engagement is facilitated by sloping the sides of slot 53 and cooperating stud tongue extension 68. Release of the rotating locking member from its first locking position, as shown in FIG. 4, absorbs some or all of the applied stress, depending on the preset tension of spring 64 and the magnitude of the applied energy. The rotating member remains in mating engagement with recess 59 in its second locking position, if there is not sufficient excess applied energy to force it out of the second position. In such case the shock is absorbed by release of the locking means from its first to its second position, the boot remains secured to the ski, and the wearer can push the locking means back into its first locking position. If, however, the applied stress is so excessive as to force the locking means out of its second locking position, the locking means will be completely released from the engagement means, as illustrated in FIG. 6, with additional absorption of the applied energy and positive release of the boot from the ski. It will be understood that the direction of pivoting of the locking means is determined by the direction of the applied force and the second position of the locking means can be by mating engagement with recess 59a.

The applied energy required to release the locking means from its first position and from its second position can be the same or different depending on the relative depth of detent 58 to that of detents 59 and 59a. Shallower or deeper detents 59 and 59a increase of decrease the tension on spring 64 respectively.

It will be understood that the multi-locking means illustrated in FIG. 1 can be used to bind the toe and can, if desired, provide for horizontal disengagement by positioning the individual locking elements laterally. Similarly, the toe binder means illustrated in FIG. 4 can be employed to bind the boot heel to the ski and can, if desired, provide for vertical disengagement by positioning the locking means vertically. In such case a single second position detent can be provided. It will also be understood that additional successive positions of the locking means can be provided as desired.

Although the present invention has been described with specific reference to particular embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto, as there could be various modifications made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

I claim: 1. A device for releasably binding a boot to a ski, comprising:

a projection engagement member secured to said boot;

a first cam means pivotally mounted on said ski and having an integral projection means thereon for engaging said engagement member and releasing said engagement after pivoting through a first angle:

a second cam means pivotally mounted on said ski and having a second integral projection means thereon for releasably engaging said engagement member after said releasing by said first cam means; and

pressurizing means bearing on said first and second cam means and applying pressure to said first and second cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means includes:

means for selectively adjusting said pressure applied to said first cam means and said pressure applied to said second cam means.

3. A device for releasibly binding a boot to a ski,

comprising:

an engagement member secured to said boot having a recess therein;

a first cam means having a first stud rigidly mounted thereon and pivotally mounted on a first axis for engaging said recess and disengaging said recess after pivoting through a first angle;

a second cam means having a second stud rigidly mounted thereon and pivotally mounted on a second axis parallel to said first axis for releasibly en- 6 gaging said recess after said disengaging by said first cam means;

first pressurizing means bearing on said first cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof; and

second pressurizing means bearing on said second cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof.

4. A device for releasibly binding a boot to a ski comprising: I

an engagement member on said boot having a recess therein:

a first locking means secured to said ski for releasibly restraining said engagement member in a first position relative to said ski until a first predetermined energy level is exceeded;

said locking means including a pivotally mounted cam having a first stud means thereon for protruding into said recess when said engagement member is in said first position;

a second locking means secured to said ski for releasibly restraining said engagement member in a second position after said first energy level is exceeded and until a second predetermined energy level is exceeded; said second locking means including a second pivotally mounted cam having a second stud means thereon for protruding into said recess when said engagement means is in said second position;

pressurizing means bearing on said first cam and second cam for hindering the pivoting thereof; and

pressure adjustment means cooperating with said pressurizing means for adjusting the amount of energy required to pivot said first cam and said second cam. 

1. A device for releasably binding a boot to a ski, comprising: a projection engagement member secured to said boot; a first cam means pivotally mounted on said ski and having an integral projection means thereon for engaging said engagement member and releasing said engagement after pivoting through a first angle; a second cam means pivotally mounted on said ski and having a second integral projection means thereon for releasably engaging said engagement member after said releasing by said first cam means; and pressurizing means bearing on said first and second cam means and applying pressure to said first and second cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means includes: means for selectively adjusting said pressure applied to said fiRst cam means and said pressure applied to said second cam means.
 3. A device for releasibly binding a boot to a ski, comprising: an engagement member secured to said boot having a recess therein; a first cam means having a first stud rigidly mounted thereon and pivotally mounted on a first axis for engaging said recess and disengaging said recess after pivoting through a first angle; a second cam means having a second stud rigidly mounted thereon and pivotally mounted on a second axis parallel to said first axis for releasibly engaging said recess after said disengaging by said first cam means; first pressurizing means bearing on said first cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof; and second pressurizing means bearing on said second cam means for hindering the pivoting thereof.
 4. A device for releasibly binding a boot to a ski comprising: an engagement member on said boot having a recess therein: a first locking means secured to said ski for releasibly restraining said engagement member in a first position relative to said ski until a first predetermined energy level is exceeded; said locking means including a pivotally mounted cam having a first stud means thereon for protruding into said recess when said engagement member is in said first position; a second locking means secured to said ski for releasibly restraining said engagement member in a second position after said first energy level is exceeded and until a second predetermined energy level is exceeded; said second locking means including a second pivotally mounted cam having a second stud means thereon for protruding into said recess when said engagement means is in said second position; pressurizing means bearing on said first cam and second cam for hindering the pivoting thereof; and pressure adjustment means cooperating with said pressurizing means for adjusting the amount of energy required to pivot said first cam and said second cam. 